- Ford is the first non-Tesla automaker to gain access to the “gold-standard” Tesla Superchargers via Ford’s fast-charging adapter.
- Tesla Superchargers have more EV fast chargers than all the other networks combined, including Blink Charging, Electrify America, and ChargePoint.
- This Ford-to-Tesla adapter is being provided to Ford EV Drivers for free, provided they enroll in the BlueOval Charge Network by June 30, 2024.
Could you take a road trip in an EV? Until last year, it seemed like outside the Tesla universe and their “gold standard” network of DC fast-charging Tesla Superchargers, the answer was embarrassingly: “no.” This was punctuated by the dually flat-tire attempts by both Ford President and CEO Jim Farley as well as U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm when they tried to charge their EVs on long trips. But we may get to take our EVs for a road trip soon, thanks to a free Ford-to-Tesla adapter that will help more EV drivers access fast charging.
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The Impetus for the Switch
It wasn’t far apart when Farley and Granholm took the press and the public on road trips to demonstrate the strong capabilities of EVs, only to be stymied by the state of public fast chargers along their route. Farley spent 40 minutes getting only a 40% charge in his F-150 Lightning at one stop, Business Insider reports. Meanwhile, according to NPR, Granholm’s team had even more drama with the police getting involved after her forward team swiped the sole working charger for miles.
In apparent response — and following a spirited Twitter/X exchange between Elon Musk and Jim Farley — Ford broke headlines, announcing their collaboration with Tesla to adopt their North American Charging Standard (NACS) and abandon CCS.
Not to be outdone, General Motors quickly announced the same. This began the fall of dominoes taking the U.S. EV industry from three standards (CHAdeMO, CCS, and NACS) to just one, NACS (now officially “J3400” by SAE), in less than 12 months.
The Impact to EV Drivers
This consolidation brings huge improvements to the entire group of electric vehicle customers, especially those outside of Tesla but who still want to use a DC fast charger. Tesla invested heavily in their EV charging stations, dubbed “Superchargers,” to make them the most reliable public DC fast chargers. They bring other enhancements as well, like Plug & Charge.
If the EV driver authorizes their payment information in advance, like with the Tesla app or the FordPass app, then Plug & Charge allows drivers to simply plug the charging cord into their car, and payment is handled silently and directly between the vehicle and the charger.
Getting Broader Charging Access
Drivers of the Ford F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E, starting today, can order the Ford NACS adapter – for free – giving them access to the available 15,000+ Tesla Superchargers. According to the company, drivers must be enrolled in the BlueOval Charge Network to reserve their fast charging adapters. After the June 30 deadline, future Ford EV customers can purchase these for $230 delivered.
The Future of Charging
Ford is the first automaker to make the jump and get access to Tesla’s Superchargers. In the future, Ford will build the NACS port directly into their vehicles, eliminating the need for this adapter. Every other North American EV automaker is on this same path, with timelines varying over the next 24 months.
Tesla Opens Supercharger Network to Ford and Beyond
Tesla opens over 15,000 Superchargers to Ford EV owners throughout Canada and the US, signaling a significant shift in the industry. But, this is just the beginning. Following Ford’s lead, General Motors (GM), Rivian, Volvo, and Polestar are set to gain access starting in March.
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IMAGES: FORD
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